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Last-Minute Advice For Cheerleading Hopefuls

Tryouts for the 2013-14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders squad begin on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Cathy Boyd, the Buccaneers’ Cheerleading and Mascot Manager has some last-minute advice for those hopefuls who plan to show up for open call at One Buccaneer Place on Saturday morning.

“Make sure you get a good night’s sleep,” said Boyd. “Wake up and eat a good breakfast to make sure you have enough energy. Drink some water and just get ready to show up with your “A” game.”

Obviously, Boyd is preparing the cheerleading candidates for a very active afternoon; stamina and alertness will definitely help as several hundred women vie for the 30 or so coveted spots on the Buccaneers’ squad this season. There is a mental aspect to the tryouts, however, and Boyd has some pointers in that regard, too.

Essentially, it boils down to self-confidence.

“It’s easy to look around and compare yourself to everyone else in the room, but that’s not helpful,” said Boyd. “You need to be in your own zone. You want to be friendly…and, actually, this is a good opportunity to make friends with people who have common interests. At the same time, you want to keep your confidence up, focus on yourself and not compare yourself to anyone else in the room.”

There is a significant dance aspect to performing as a Buccaneers Cheerleader, and obviously many of the team’s veterans and this year’s candidates have dance training. That said, the team urges all those who are interested to try out for the squad, regardless of their dance background. In some cases, a feel for the music is as important as any formal training.

“At this point, we’re just looking to see if you can hold a beat,” said Boyd. “Do you have rhythm and musicality? You don’t have to be triple-turns or leaps across the stage. We just need to see that you have the ability to learn, and that starts with being able to hear music and respond to it.”